Smoky Mountain YSB Study Group Information

“Here is an art, remarkable in its breath and intricacy, that is likely as close to Dong Haichuan’s conception as exists.”

 Richard Miller

What is Yin Style Baguazhang?

by Rand Cardwell

First off, Baguazhang is a Chinese martial art that is based on the principles of the ancient book known as the “I-Ching”. That text outlines the eight basic trigrams, or eight different arrangements of solid and broken lines, which are referenced in this martial system as eight different fighting methods contained within the whole. Those being the Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun and Dui gua. Each have their own characteristics which are representative of various forces that are applied within the fighting methods of each method respectively. The I-Ching also contains information concerning the sixty-four hexagrams. The hexagrams are essentially groupings of two of the eight basic trigrams and reflect a further refined method of expressing the various energies that are contained with the original eight. The sixty-four hexagrams are utilized within this fighting art as a means to describe the various strikes and energies of each of the eight different fighting methods. The eastern paradigm is also expressed through the teachings of the I-Ching in areas that include the Yin/Yang Theory, which is used to descibe the soft/hard nature of many of the fighting tactics and techniques. By gaining an understanding of this ancient Chinese classic, the modern practioner gains a greater prespective of the depth of this combative martial art.

The confirmed historical beginnings of Baguazhang rest on the efforts of Dong Haichuan. He became the instructor of the Imperial Guard in the Forbidden City of Beijing in the mid-1800s. He took few students outside the military men that were assigned the task of protecting the royality of China. One of those was a man named Yin Fu. It is passed down that Yin Fu spent roughly twenty years learning Dong Haichuan’s art. That he received the most complete transmission of the fighting style out of all of Dong Haichuan’s students. At his teachers death, Yin Fu was appointed to the same position held by his mentor. He executed those duties until the end of the Boxer Rebellion, which brought an end to that system of government to China. We practice the art of Baguazhang as passed down from Yin Fu to Men Baozhen. He in turn passed on his knowledge to Dr. Xie Peiqi. He is creditied with opening this system to westerners in the early 1990s. Dr. Xie passed away in 2003, but spent many years training the man that he picked to take his place. That man being the current head of Yin Style Bahuazhang, Mr. He Jinbao. We are direct students of He Jinbao.

This style has been described as a “guerilla warfare” method of fighting in comparison to the straight line methodology commonly employed by other arts. Baguzhang uses advanced stepping techniques and stratigies to attack the opponent at their weakest points. Rarely attacking “head on,” it works by using evasive footwork that puts an opponent in a state of confusion and vulnerability. All areas of the body are trained to be utilized as weapons. Basic training consist of turning the circle, an exercise to develop leg strength and quick, sure-footed movement; static postures are held to develop strength; numerous striking drills are practiced in high repetition to build power and proper form; and forms are taught to help engrain a multitude of applications.

An excellent anaolgy of this art in comparison to others is that Baguazhang is graduate level martial arts, while the vast majority of others might be considered as undergraduate or even elementary level arts. Because Yin Style Baguazhang is relatively unknown in the west, we are often asked how it is similar to Taichi. Bradley Moore, one of the members of our study group, summed it up with the following quote, “It is like Taichi on steriods.... with teeth”. There are a number of highly experienced martial artists, both here in the United States and abroad, that once being exposed to the depth and effectiveness of this art have stopped training in all other martial systems and focus solely on Yin Style Baguazhang. We feel that this speaks highly of this art and the non-commerical nature of many of the principle practioners.

What is the Qian system of Yin Style Baguazhang?

In this branch of Baguazhang there are eight different systems of fighting. Each has its own methods that make it unique. The Qian System, which is the one practiced in our group, is best characterized as the most aggressive of the eight. The qian trigram, according to Chinese beliefs, is the pure yang trigram. This suggests the highest level of aggressive yang energy, which is obvious in the applications and training methods of the qian system, in relation to all the other trigrams. The animal that represents this method is the lion. Powerful, aggressive, and unrelenting in attack are just a few of the characteristics of this particular method. According to He Jinbao, it is also the most demanding on the body in its method of training. Those demands will be evident after attending one of our training sessions. The physical conditioning that is acheived by Yin Style Baguazhang will transform your body in a slow process of proven training methodology. Gains do not come quickly, but rather from small, slow improvements over a long period of time. The applications are aggressive in nature and are not suitable for the competitive arena, but are extremely practical for self-defense on the street.

A Chinese practioner of baguazhang (unknown style and lineage) walks a well-worn circle.

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